Donald expects Martin to shine

Allan Donald has backed Chris Martin, the New Zealand opening bowler, to make a big impression with Warwickshire after agreeing to be their overseas player from the end of June.

Martin has been left out of New Zealand's one-day squad to face England and will join his new team after the Twenty20 Cup as a replacement for Monde Zondeki, who will link up with the South Africa tour. Warwickshire's England players, Ian Bell and Tim Ambrose, have both spoken highly of Martin after facing him over the last few months.

"Chris will make a massive difference," Donald, Warwickshire's bowling coach, told the Birmingham Mail. "We saw how well everybody bowled around Dale Steyn last season and it could be something similar.

"I can't think of anything better than to bowl alongside someone of Chris's quality and experience. He has gained a lot of respect with a lot of people - the Aussies talk very highly of him. He will be a really exciting addition and he is a good bloke, a very humble sportsman. People will learn a lot from him."

Martin will hope to improve on Zondeki's return of nine wickets in four Championship matches. Zondeki was signed to be a spearhead in a young Warwickshire attack, but it has not quite worked out that way.

"I still feel Monde was just a couple of wickets away from bowling a side out," Donald said. "But things happen for a reason and he quite simply didn't fire at all. Maybe the English game just hit him straight between the eyes. You finish a four-day game then travel somewhere for a one-day game, then next time you open your eyes you are back at Edgbaston."